MAKING PEACE VIGIL Newsletter - August 14, 2025

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MAKING PEACE VIGIL Newsletter - August 14, 2025


SAD NEWS
Gord Barnes passed away August 12. He was a tireless fighter for human rights, working with Amnesty International and other organizations. Thanks so much for all your work to make the world a better place for everyone, Gord!
[ https://www.speersfuneralchapel.com/obi ... d=43931281 ]


UPDATE: ENCAMPMENT STRATEGY
We have now been advised that we will not be able to speak at the August 20 Executive Committee meeting—though we are welcome to attend and listen.
We can speak at the August 27 meeting of City Council and let Council know what we want in their new encampment policy.
Administration’s report to Council regarding the encampment strategy can be found at the following link, pages 68-71: [ https://reginask.iqm2.com//Citizens/Fil ... nline=True ]

The report is intended to be an overview of how the city currently handles encampments—which is VERY INSUFFICIENT. Below is a Citizens Encampment Strategy to compare to the City’s.

We need lots of folks presenting at the August 27 meeting. A request to present has to be submitted by noon on Monday August 25. To make this request, call 306-777-7262 or follow the instructions found here: [ https://www.regina.ca/city-government/c ... y-Council/ ]

Below is the Citizens Encampment Strategy. Feel free to draw on it.

A CITIZENS ENCAMPMENT STRATEGY
Commit to not removing encampments established on City property unless all residents have been provided with permanent, adequate, appropriate housing. To do otherwise, is to violate the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”

Provide support for such encampments. Support would include the provision of the following:

Bathrooms with handwashing capability
Potable water
Garbage disposal and collection
Easy access to public transportation

Repeal laws and policies criminalizing homelessness, including being in a City park after 11 pm and erecting tents and other such structures on public property without a permit or a license.

Continue to work to end houselessness in Regina so that encampments do not become a permanent feature of our city. Such work would include:

Commit to allocating $10 million annually, starting with the 2026 budget, to the construction of affordable rental units;

Work with other Saskatchewan municipalities to put pressure on the Government of Saskatchewan to make available for immediate occupation all empty Sask Housing units in Regina—and throughout the province;

Work with other Saskatchewan municipalities to put pressure on the Government of Saskatchewan to raise the rates of the province’s two income assistance programs above the poverty line—currently a person on the Saskatchewan Income Support program gets $1,025 a month, while a person on Saskatchewan Assured Income For Disability receives on average $1,382 a month—both well below the poverty line;

Work with municipalities across Canada to put pressure on the Government of Canada to restart the national affordable housing program, cancelled in 1993, which, for a period, starting in 1974, created up to 20,000 affordable housing units every year.


SPECIAL READING & VIEWING & LISTENING

CONCERNED REGINA CITIZENS HOST OPEN MIC ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT STRATEGY AT CITY HALL
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatch ... -1.7608321 ]


GOOD READING & VIEWING & LISTENING

SASK. COURT RULES THAT LEGAL CHALLENGE OF PROVINCE’S PRONOUN POLICY CAN MOVE FORWARD—Yes!
[ https://www.ctvnews.ca/regina/article/s ... e-forward/ ]


SASKATCHEWAN PRONOUN CONSENT LAW CASE CAN PROCEED FOLLOWING APPEAL COURT RULING
[ https://leaderpost.com/news/appeal-judg ... tes-rights ]


P3 PROJECTS IN SASKATCHEWAN: THE REGINA BYPASS SCANDAL
[ https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxU47796 ... h7Vk0QA1Kw ]


JUDGE RESERVES DECISION ON APPLICATION TO STOP SASK. COAL PLANT LIFE EXTENSION—Let’s hope the climate wins!
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoo ... -1.7607063 ]


HOW THE 1980s GAVE US HOMELESSNESS AND ROBBED YOU OF A HOME, with Charlie Angus
[ https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/how ... melessness ]


THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR AIRLINE WORKERS’ LABOUR MILITANCY
[ https://www.readthemaple.com/the-sky-is ... militancy/ ]


ONGOING FOSSIL FUEL TIES ON PENSION BOARDS RAISE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CONCERNS
[ https://www.shiftaction.ca/entrenched-interests ]


FIRST NATIONS WARN CARNEY’S PUSH TO BUILD CANADA RISKS TEARING IT APART
[ https://thewalrus.ca/first-nations-warn ... g-it-apart ]


FORGET FREE TRADE
[ https://canadiandimension.com/articles/ ... free-trade ]


CONSERVATIVES SAY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FAVOURS NON-CITIZENS. EXPERTS DISAGREE
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/michel ... -1.7608055 ]


CARNEY IS PUSHING CANADIAN LIBERALISM TO ITS BREAKING POINT
[ https://canadiandimension.com/articles/ ... king-point ]


A MESSAGE TO MARK CARNEY: SHUT DOWN THE GOLDEN SHIELD SCHEME NOW, by Charlie Angus
[ https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/a-m ... -shut-down ]


CBC AGREED TO FOLLOW ISRAELI CENSORSHIP ORDER ON GAZA AID DROP FLIGHT
[ https://www.readthemaple.com/cbc-agreed ... op-flight/ ]


RAGE MOUNTS OVER ISRAEL’S TARGETED ASSASSINATIONS, ISRAEL'S PLAN TO DEPORT PALESTINIANS TO SOUTH SUDAN, AND THE LATEST FROM JEREMY SCAHILL ON CEASEFIRE TALKS
[ https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/rage-mou ... s-targeted ]


SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL TO TRUMP: WE ARE READY TO MAKE A FAIR DEAL, by Jeremy Scahill
[ https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/hamas-tr ... ypt-turkey ]


MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MAKE A CONTROVERSIAL TRIP TO A COUNTRY COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY—by Josh Paul
[ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/josh-pau ... 0128-NJId/ ]


I’M NOT SORRY FOR WHAT I DID TODAY!!
[ https://www.meidasplus.com/p/i-am-not-s ... for-what-i ]


NEW STUDY FINDS DEADLY DRUG-RESISTANT DISEASES EMERGING IN GAZA
[ https://www.telesurenglish.net/new-stud ... g-in-gaza/ ]


NETANYAHU LASHES OUT AT 'GLOBAL CAMPAIGN OF LIES' AS WIDESPREAD CRITICISM OVER GAZA MOUNTS
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/netanyahu ... -1.7605422 ]


AUSCHWITZ-SURVIVOR-GABOR-MATE:-GAZA-GENOCIDE ‘THE WORST THING I’VE SEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE’
[ https://therealnews.com/auschwitz-survi ... a-genocide ]


ISRAEL HAS “DELIBERATE STRATEGY” OF KILLING PALESTINIAN JOURNALISTS LIKE ANAS AL-SHARIF: U.N. EXPERT
[ https://www.democracynow.org/2025/8/12/ ... t_killings ]


AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT ANAS AL-SHARIF AMONG JOURNALISTS KILLED IN ISRAELI STRIKE
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/al-jazeer ... -1.7605557 ]


“SILENCING THE COVERAGE”: ISRAEL ASSASSINATES 5 AL JAZEERA JOURNALISTS IN TARGETED STRIKE IN GAZA
[ https://www.democracynow.org/2025/8/11/al_jazeera ]


“THIS IS ORCHESTRATED KILLING”: MSF CONDEMNS GHF AID SITES, SAYING THEY WERE SET UP TO BE DEATH TRAPS
[ https://www.democracynow.org/2025/8/11/msf_ghf ]


OVER 100 CHILDREN HAVE DIED OF SEVERE HUNGER AMID ISRAELI SIEGE: GAZA HEALTH MINISTRY
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/gaza- ... 2673875979 ]


MADONNA, U2 SPEAK OUT ON THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/m ... -1.7606703 ]


IDF BRAGS OF 'IN-DEPTH REVIEW' THAT CONFIRMS ISRAEL IS STARVING SICK CHILDREN TO DEATH
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/starving-gaza ]


TRUMP’S TAKEOVER: ACLU ON FEDERALIZING D.C. POLICE & DEPLOYING 800 NATIONAL GUARD
[ https://www.democracynow.org/2025/8/12/ ... c_takeover ]


VIJAY PRASHAD ON PALESTINE, RUSSIA, BRICS & THE FIGHT FOR SOCIALISM
[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIBLE7TBoQM ]


AS DEADLINE LOOMS, ADVOCATES CALL PLASTICS TREATY DRAFT 'NOTHING SHORT OF A BETRAYAL'
[ https://www.commondreams.org/news/globa ... 2673882454 ]


RETHINKING THE ROLE OF THE BYSTANDER
[ https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/ret ... ies-of-the ]


EVENTS, WEBINARS, TV PROGRAMS, & FILMS

THURSDAY AUGUST 14, 4 pm: BANKS OFF CAMPUS CAMPAIGN
[ https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/registe ... CevUqRpQog ]


THURSDAY AUGUST 14, 5 pm: ZIONISM VERSUS THE CANADIAN CHARTER, with Yves Engler and others
[ https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/registe ... gistration ]


THURSDAY AUGUST 14, 6 pm: DRAW THE LINE—MASS ORGANIZING CALL
Hear from a powerful cross-movement panel, including David Suzuki and Eriel Deranger, about the interconnectedness of our struggles and why we must unite.
[ https://act.350.org/signup/dtl-call/ ]


TUESDAY AUGUST 19. 11 am – 1 pm: SCREENING OF SEEING THROUGH THE DARKNESS, MACKENZIE ART GALLERY, 3475 ALBERT ST
Through an immersive sound environment, Seeing Through the Darkness delves into the lives of five resilient individuals who have lost their sight in armed conflicts. This film challenges our societal blindness to violence and suffering amidst a flood of images, urging us to listen to these inspiring stories echoing with urgency and profound humanity.
[ https://riffa.ca/movie/seeing-through-the-darkness/ ]


WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 9 am: MEETING OF CITY OF REGINA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE—ENCAMPMENT POLICY ON THE AGENDA
We might want to tune into the discussion. Go to: [ https://www.myaccess.ca/watch/live/regina-city-council ] and look for “Executive Committee.”


WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 11 am – 1 pm: SCREENING OF FARMING THE REVOLUTION, MACKENZIE ART GALLERY, 3475 ALBERT ST
Amidst COVID lockdowns, India’s farmers rise up on an unprecedented scale against unjust new laws.
[ https://riffa.ca/movie/farming-the-revolution/ ]


WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 8 PM: WE ARE ALL ONE PLANET: A NIGHT WITH WET’SUWET’EN HOUSE GROUPS BEFORE THEY HEAD TO COURT
[ https://raventrust.com/event/we-are-one-planet/ ]


THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 11 am – 1 pm: SCREENING OF RULE OF STONE, MACKENZIE ART GALLARY, 3475 ALBERT ST
If Jerusalem stone could speak, it would tell this story: from Imperial Britain to the Israeli occupation, buildings in Jerusalem have been clad in it. This is a story of how beauty and abuse go hand in hand


FRIDAY AUGUST 22, 11 am – 1 pm: SCREENING OF TOROBORO: THE NAME OF THE PLANTS, MACKENZIE ART GALLERY, 3475 ALBERT ST
Twenty-five years after a renowned ethno-botanical study in the Ecuadorian Amazon region inhabited by the Waorani, the central figures involved reunite. Members of the community talk about the genocidal colonization of their people since the arrival of Christian missionaries. The main threats to their survival are now the oil and timber industries.
[ https://riffa.ca/movie/toroboro-the-name-of-the-plants/ ]


SATURDAY AUGUST 23, 2 -4 pm: URBAN AGRICULTURAL FAIR, MALTY NATIONAL, 1130 15TH AVE
BRING YOUR PRODUCE! You can win a ribbon!!!
Major categories: Veggies~Fruits~Herbs~Flowers~Animal Partners' Produce~Baking~Weird & Big Veggies
$2 per entry (kids entries free)


KIDS ART CHALLENGE
Any kind of art made from things found in a garden
Your entry fee & food items will go to the FASTT meal program, delivering 800 delicious & nutritious meals a week to neighbours in need.
For more information: [ https://www.facebook.com/events/1517026205953127/ ]


WEDNESDAY AUGUST 27, 1 pm: MEETING OF REGINA CITY COUNCIL—CITY OF REGINA ENCAMPMENT RESPONSE WILL BE ON THE AGENDA
We need lots of folks presenting at this meeting. A request to present has to be submitted by submitted by noon on Monday August 25. To make this request either phone 306-777-7262 or follow the instructions found here: [ https://www.regina.ca/city-government/c ... y-Council/ ]


THURSDAY AUGUST 28, 7pm: REVISITING DOWNTOWN SAFETY AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, CENTRAL LIBRARY, 2311 12TH AVE
This panel is presented by Regina Public Library (RPL) and Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID). Panelists will include Dave Slater (City of Regina), Sgt Laurie Alexander and Sgt Ross Kauk (Regina Police Services), Katie Dockham (Cushman and Wakefield/Cornwall Mall), and Jason Knudsen and Rob Kraushaar (Regina Street Team). Judith Veresuk, Executive Director of RDBID will moderate the discussion.
The panelists will reflect on the past year's challenges and opportunities related to safety and wellbeing in the downtown core, as well as strategies and initiatives that the different organizations have taken or are undertaking to address these challenges.
[ https://www.facebook.com/events/733558552637704/ ]


WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 7 pm: QUEEN CITY URBANIST BOOK CLUB, CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2900 13TH AVE
The book that will be discussed is Reclaiming Indigenous Planning, by Ryan Walker et al.
[ https://www.facebook.com/events/1638879343488097/ ]


SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 10 am – 4 pm: REPAIR CAFÉ, GEORGE BOTHWELL LIBRARY, 2965 GORDON ROAD
[ https://www.envirocollective.ca/repair-cafe/ ]


STARTING MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, FIGHTING TO WIN: A 10 WEEK COURSE WITH JOHN CLARK
[ https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pan ... ol/1782334 ]


TUESDAY SEPETEMBER 9, 4:30 pm: FIRE WEATHER: THE MAKING OF A BEAST, with John Vaillant
Presented by Seniors for Climate
[ https://seniorsforclimate.org/en/webina ... -vaillant/ ]


FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 10 am: RAISING OF THE PEACE FLAG TO MARK INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY, REGINA CITY HALL



WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1, 7 pm: QUEEN CITY URBANIST BOOK CLUB, CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY CENTRE, 2900 13TH AVE
The book that will be discussed is Better Buses, Better Cities, by Steven Higashide
[ https://www.facebook.com/events/2486789288326245/ ]


THURSDAY OCTOBER 2, 4:30 – 11:30 pm: REGINA 2025 POINT-IN-TIME—PiT—COUNT OF HOMELESSNESS IN REGINA,
Volunteers are needed for Regina’s 2025 PiT Count, which will take place on October 2. Namerind Housing Corporation, as the Reaching Home Community Entity for Regina, will be leading the 2025 PiT Count of homelessness on October 2nd, and they need volunteers to make it happen.

To volunteer, go to: [ https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/call-for-vo ... tdtcreator ]


NEW PETITIONS & OTHER ACTIONS

SASKATCHEWAN FARMERS ARE BEING HUNG OUT TO DRY. WE CAN’T AFFORD MORE INACTION
[ https://www.saskndp.ca/canolaresponse ]


BUILD CANADA’S EAST-WEST GRID WITH RENEWABLES
[ https://davidsuzuki.org/action/build-ca ... enewables/ ]


CONSERVATIVES SAY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FAVOURS NON-CITIZENS. EXPERTS DISAGREE
[ https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/michel ... -1.7608055 ]


CANADA: CLOSE THE US LOOPHOLE ON ARMS TO ISRAEL
[ https://www.cjpme.org/petition_close_the_loophole ]


YOU CAN’T JUMP YOUR WAY OUT OF GENOCIDE
[ https://actionnetwork.org/letters/you-c ... rian-event ]


ALLOW WAR-TRAUMATIZED KIDS FROM GAZA TO LIVE WITH PARENTS IN CANADA
[ https://www.change.org/p/allow-war-trau ... -in-canada ]


SUPPORT THE CALL THE END NUCLEAR WEAPONS
[ https://www.icanw.org/80_ga_call ]


- Making Peace Vigil